Family Counselling Services in Lethbridge, AB.

In an individualistic society, we easily overlook how tightly inter-connected we are to those closest to us, especially family members. When one family member has a problem, everyone gets affected. Family therapy helps bring people in the family together to discuss a symptom or a problem that has developed with one family member but is affecting everyone else. I open up this family communication in a safe and sensitive manner, help family members hear and respond to each other, diffusing tensions and help the problem to resolve. Often clients tell me what they learn in family therapy makes them more effective at work and with extended family as well.

Healthy communication and regulation skills foster positive and healthy family relationships. In session, we can explore and build on a family's communication skills, ability to navigate conflict or family crisis, and improve family coping styles. Together, we can build positive practices to provide a safe and supportive environment for you and your family.

I have worked families to strengthen connections and enhance communication for over 20 years. Virtual counselling can take place with family members who are in multiple locations. Though video counselling you and your family can be together even when you are apart. Every family is unique. We are who we are. Together we can celebrate and learn from each other when we listen to hear.

I don’t take sides. I don’t identify anyone in the group as “the bad guy” who needs to change. Rather I emphasize that hurting people often hurt others. Therefore, hurting people in the family will be hurting those closest to them; one way or another. It is my desire that we avoid the use of the word “Normal”, choosing instead to use the words “Healthy or Unhealthy”. Understanding the role and importance of boundaries and that they are always in a state of ongoing change as the members of these family grow and develop as individuals is vital to successful family therapy. I also emphasize the need to replace “Judgement” with “Curiosity” and “Discernment”.

Imagine a family as a tree with branches, roots, trunk representing parts of the immediate and extended family. When working with families, all elements are considered. Usually there is a request for family therapy due to one of it's members in crisis, often a child. However, when an analysis of need is done it becomes apparent that more than one member of the family needs help in adjusting, growing and learning new behaviours. Clients contact me for a variety of reasons: to improve communications, solve family problems, support in special situations such as death, divorce, marriage, illness, child or adolescent issues.

We utilize a systems and attachment based approach for our family, offering an individualized treatment plan for each family we work with. We also work as a team and can provide different therapists for each family member as needed, for example: play therapists, youth/adolescent specialists, couples specialists, parenting specialists, divorce and separation support etc.

Most family therapists inadvertently create more chaos through their well-intentioned efforts to assist a family move through a change process. Why? Brains are inherently deregulated (all of us, may I add) and most talking and dialoguing misses brain-centric problems that need more intensive help. Many times the emotional trauma created by years of solving problems ineffectively can wreak havoc on the brain's parasympathetic nervous system, not ever giving the family a break from flight or fight thinking. Contact us for an innovative neuroscience solution to family dysfunction. Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

[I ONLY OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA FOR FAMILY THERAPY - NOT ONTARIO]. None of us took degrees on how to be great parents, yet despite our best efforts, things can go amuck quickly. I have a son and a daughter of my own… I know how challenging raising children and making families work can be. I have been a psychologist since 1986. Let’s not waste time but instead get down to the issues that are affecting your family right now. Book an appointment by going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Family is a unit and all parts of that unit are important. I work with families, and caregivers in supporting the family system as a whole through group work and individual work. It is my goal to help families untangle the challenges that create chaos, confusion, and miscommunication. I strive to address behaviours of all family members and how these behaviours can affect the family unit.